Physical Therapists possess the anatomical, physiological and clinical knowledge to perform trigger point dry needling safely and effectively. Trigger point dry needling is distinctly different from acupuncture as the treatment goal and method is different.  While both practices may use a similar implement or device, the clinical reasoning, technique, and goal of the treatment are different.  Trigger point dry needling specifically addresses hyperirritable loci in the muscle tissue to elicit a physiological response in the muscle tissue to enhance and progress treatments performed by Physical Therapists.  This response is similar to the response elicited by other treatment modalities.